So apparently we had snow. There was I, sat in my house, harming no one, when a titled Beacon member, namely Lord Whiteman, who was out checking his lanes at the furthermost points of his ancestral estate turned up on my doorstep. Fair play...perhaps Mr Whiteman/Ravencroft/Weaver deserve a point for foolhardiness!

Anyway, presuming we get some sort of thaw this week, can I encourage a large Beacon turnout to Chaddesley Corbett cyclists' Christmas get together on Sunday. There will be various club runs and individual journeys to get there (doors open at 12noon)...adorn your bikes with tinsel and Christmas lights, and who can top Stuart White's tremendous woolly Christmas jumper/cycling top combo last year!

Hi Matt, I'm committed to go to Meriden for the Cyclists' Carol Service so will miss out on Chaddersley. The format is cakes at Meriden Village Hall from 11.00 and growling out some carols at the Church at 1.00. We'll be passing Lavender Hall Fishery en route so there's is an option for people to stop there and make their own way back to Black Horse but it's the wrong direction for Chaddersley. If going on to Meriden then it will be best to have lights because the light begins to go quite early and it's going to be cloudy. I'm assuming that the thaw continues and it won't be icy. If I use my studded tyres I'll have to leave earlier because they are pretty slow!

Here is the original post.

"All being well with weather etc I'll lead a C Run to Meriden for the traditional Cycling UK/ CTC Carol Service on 17th Dec. There's cakes in the Village Hall first so an option to miss the sing song and ride back early."

For those that would like to go to The Swan for a beer with the other club riders here is a route which is 30 miles to the The Swan, a non stop C ride should be about 2 hours, with an option to extend it through Stock Green (+4 miles) or divert to the garden centre at Whitlenge if good progress is made. I can't promise to be at the Black Horse but here's the route for anyone to load up to their Garmin.

Please note that the ride route ends at Chaddersley so be please be prepared to find your own way home after the pub visit and so it's not the length of the road its the width that will add to your mileage!

There is some ice again this morning where I live so regretfully I'm going to have to say I won't be leading a B Run this morning. Also, I don't feel it would be appropriate or fair to other members leading them on lanes I've chosen to go down.

I shall be going to The Swan for around 11:30-12 to meet up with everyone for a drink.

Thanks for the advice Phil. I'm afraid the C Run to Meriden will have to be cancelled also. It's not safe to lead a run if there is ice about. I'll make my own way there slowly on studded tyres. Apologies if anyone was hoping to come.

A small gathering of riders at the Black Horse on a frosty morning decided to take the posted 30 miler to The Swan with a stop off at the garden centre at Chaddersley. It was wet and cold so we all got a good soaking, finishing at The Swan, Chaddersley were there there was a reasonably full room of riders from different clubs including the Saracen, Halesowen and Heart of England.
Riders from the BH were as follows;

Used the word riders with justifiable reservation. I got a lift to the Garden centre. Rode ALL the way round the corner to the Swan. Drank 6 pints and then got a lift home. Good to see a large turnout of dedicated athletes drinking coffee and other stimulating beverages.

Well I got to Meriden and got wet and cold and then faced some fog coming past the Peacock on the return but enjoyed myself. Do I get a club run point for getting to the Black Horse to cancel a run that no one turned up for??? Points mean prizes as you know !